RSV admissions among infants fall sharply following vaccine rollout
Thousands of infants contract respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) every year. While most experience mild symptoms, the virus can cause severe breathing difficulties in newborns and young infants and may require hospital treatment. Since fall 2025, pregnant women in Denmark have been offered an RSV vaccine to help protect their babies during the first months of life.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen and Nordsjællands Hospital reveals that a rollout of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine among pregnant women in Denmark has led to a sharp drop in hospital admissions for infants under 6 months old. During the 2025-26 RSV season, the number of young infants admitted to the hospital fell by 75% compared to the average of the previous three seasons.
While the average was 1,128 admissions, only 296 infants were hospitalized between October and April this past season. This represents over 800 infants who avoided hospitalization, a significant improvement for the vulnerable young patients. The researchers note that the study does not prove a direct link between vaccination and the decline in admissions, as other factors may have also played a role.
Nevertheless, the findings align with experiences in other countries that have introduced RSV vaccination programs. Clinical professor Thea Kølsen Fischer emphasizes the remarkable development, as RSV can cause severe breathing difficulties in young children and is a major strain on families. The findings are consistent with experiences in countries like Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands, France, and England, which have also implemented RSV vaccination programs.
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